Mindomo: a recommended DSA tool for students who think visually
Students who find it difficult to process large amounts of information or structure written work often benefit from a visual approach.
Mindomo provides the tools to do that. Helping students organise ideas, break down complex topics, and develop clearer thinking across their coursework
How Mindomo supports DSA Students
Mindomo helps address these challenges by providing flexible visual tools that allow students to break complex topics into manageable sections, identify connections between ideas, and organise information in a way that supports understanding, recall, and effective task completion.
Students with dyslexia may struggle with processing written information and structuring their work. Mindomo’s visual mind maps allow students to organise ideas spatially, making it easier to identify key concepts and plan assignments without relying solely on linear text.
Students with ADHD can find it challenging to maintain focus and manage complex tasks. Mindomo’s focus mode helps by allowing students to concentrate on one branch at a time, reducing distractions while retaining an overview of the full topic.
Planning and sequencing ideas can be difficult for students with dyspraxia. Mindomo’s drag-and-drop editing enables students to rearrange ideas quickly and visually, supporting clearer sequencing and development of arguments before writing.
Students on the autism spectrum often benefit from predictable, structured layouts. Mindomo’s hierarchical mind maps provide a clear visual framework that shows relationships between ideas, helping students organise information in a consistent and structured format.
Students with working memory or processing challenges may struggle to retain and organise information. Mindomo’s ability to attach resources directly to map topics helps externalise information, keeping notes, files, and links in one place for easier review and study.
Students who find large volumes of text difficult to process may benefit from Mindomo’s branching visual maps, which break complex topics into smaller, manageable sections. This allows students to organise information clearly, focus on one idea at a time, and see how concepts connect without being overwhelmed by dense text.
Mindomo can support with a range of academic activities:
Students may use Mindomo across a range of academic tasks to organise information, plan assignments, and review material in a structured visual format. By representing ideas visually, students can break complex topics into manageable sections, identify relationships between key concepts, and develop clearer structures for written work and revision.
Managing reading and research
Students can summarise key points from reading materials into visual maps.
Planning essays and assignments
Mapping ideas visually can help students develop logical structures before beginning the writing process.
Revision and exam preparation
Revision maps can act as visual prompts that help students recall topics, themes, and relationships between ideas.
Collaborative learning
Students can share maps with peers or tutors, allowing everyone to contribute ideas and build understanding together.
Flexible learning approaches
Students process information in different ways. Some learners think visually, others prefer structured outlines.
Field Work
Mindomo can be used in fieldwork settings to capture and organise observations in a clear format, supporting structured note-taking and later review.
Key features that support students learning:
Visual Learning
Students can create visual diagrams that organise ideas around a central topic and represent relationships between concepts.
Outline View
Students can switch between visual maps and a linear outline format, supporting different stages of the learning process such as planning essays or organising revision notes.
Attaching Resources
Supporting materials such as documents, hyperlinks, notes, images, and videos can be attached directly to map topics, allowing students to keep research and notes organised in one place.
Presenter Mode
Supporting materials such as documents, hyperlinks, notes, images, and videos can be attached directly to map topics, allowing students to keep research and notes organised in one place.
Real-time Collaboration
Students can collaborate with peers or tutors on the same map, enabling shared brainstorming, project planning, or group assignments.
Accessible across devices
Mindomo can be used on laptops, tablets, or smartphones, both online and offline, allowing students to access and develop their maps whenever needed.
Mobile App
Students can create, edit, and review maps on the go. This supports continuity of work and enables students to capture ideas, and engage with their study materials in a range of environments.
Intuitive User Interface
The user interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. This allows students to focus on their learning and not on the technical aspects of the tool.
FAQs
Yes, Mindomo has been approved by the SLC as assistive technology and can be recommended as part of a DSA package during a needs assessment.
Yes. Students can import content or add notes directly into Mindomo, then organise and structure this information within a visual map to support understanding and revision.
Mindomo can be used on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It is available via web browser as well as dedicated desktop and mobile apps (for both iOS and Android), supporting use across different study environments. Students are able to use Mindomo online and offline enabling them to use it anytime, anywhere.
Yes. Mindomo allows students to export their maps into a range of formats, including documents, images, PDFs, and presentation files, supporting use in assignments and revision.
Yes. Mindomo’s mobile app allows students to scan handwritten notes and transform them into organised mind maps, supporting clearer structure and easier review.
Yes, we can arrange a 1-year demonstration licence for assessors. Please contact elleanor@as-dsa.com for a licence.
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